When designer Shangami S Muthumani was looking for a name for her label, she decided to go back to her Tamilian roots, thus landing on the term Nesavaali which translates to weaver. An ode to her childhood memory of growing in a household where Chettinadu cottons and Kanjeevaram silks were a staple among her mother and grandmother, the London-based designer decided to launch her brand late last year. Making her way through Kozhikode, Kolkatta and Pranpur for kasavu, Chanderi and Benaresi silks, the 34-year-old’s SS’19 collection garnered the attention of British e-tailer Asos.
Set to unveil her AW’19 collection, the designer, who completed her undergrad from NIFT Chennai, tells us that the collection is greatly inspired by the fashion of the mid-’60s. Look out for crossover wrap blazer dresses, mini dresses, asymmetrical and straight column midis, skirts, trousers and jumpsuits with lotus motifs, animal and floral patterns in zari jacquard. Revisiting weaves from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, UP and West Bengal for her second collection as well, the designer has handpicked an eclectic mix of jewel-toned hues — wine, emerald, midnight blue, marigold mustard, and bubblegum pink.
Looking at foraying into new markets with her SS’20 line, the Master’s Graduate in Fashion Business Management from Nottingham Trent University tells us that her prêt line will be launching in Paris, Amsterdam and Japanese retail stores in 2020. “The sole focus of the SS’20 line will be the South Indian pattus. I am in the middle of my research and development with the Arani and Anakaputhur weaving societies of Tamil Nadu.”
Besides retailing at Newlook stores in the UK, the collection is available online on Asos and Nesavaali.
Rs 2,500 onwards.